‘Unemployed trained’ nurses take grievance to the streets in Mokokchung

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, July 2

The Mokokchung unit of the Unemployed Trained Nurses’ Association of Nagaland (UTNA) on Thursday, July 2, took out a procession as a part of the agitating nurses’ planned phases of statewide agitations against the government of Nagaland. During the agitation of the day, the nurses undertook a poster campaign around the town.
Stating that there were vacancies, the “unemployed trained” nurses are demanding employment and job-creation in the healthcare sector of the state.
Showing resentment at what they called the lackadaisical attitude of the state government and to ‘sensitize the public about their grievance’, more than 50 members of the UTNA members marched through the town starting from the town square to follow a route through to the Imkongmeren Sport Complex, New Market, MMC shopping Complex, Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, and ended their day long campaign at the deputy commissioner’s office. The members of the association were accompanied by volunteers from a youth organization from the town, the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem.The UTNA along with officials from the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem met the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Deputy Commissioner.
A statement from the UTNA of Mokokchung said that a recent survey conducted by the association on the staffing system/position for staff nurses in the state had shown that more than 30 posts of staff nurse are lying vacant even in Mokokchung district.
Likewise, the association has alleged shortage of about 348 posts of staff nurse and ‘30% leave reservation’ in the state.
The association is seeking answers from the state government whether projects opening new health centers in Nagaland include appointment of sufficient number of staff nurses.
The UTNA is said to have placed their grievances before the state government more than once through various representation. They were followed by an ultimatum recently that led to the current agitations.
If the government fails to respond to the demands of the nurses in any way, the nurse associations have cautioned, the first phase of agitations will be followed by an indefinite strike till the government fulfills their demands.